PlumChoice CEO Ted Werth Named New England Finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Award

BILLERICA, Mass., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- PlumChoice today announced that Ted Werth, PlumChoice's chief executive officer, has been named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award in the New England region.  Having built PlumChoice from the ground up to become the first provider of remote technical services and a major supplier of "white label" support services to businesses and their customers, Werth has amassed a record of achievement that places him among the region's most accomplished executives.

Werth was selected as a finalist from a group of nearly 80 distinguished nominees throughout New England.  Winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 24, 2010, at the Boston Renaissance Waterfront Hotel.

By creating PlumChoice, Werth invented the business category of premium technical services.  The company, founded in 2001, came at a time when premium technical support was an untried model.  PlumChoice overcame initial consumer mistrust through strict quality control and by instituting a complete audit trail on 100% of all service calls.  

Today, PlumChoice is once again redefining the premium technical services industry through its partnerships with service providers and other business partners.  Through a "white label" arrangement, businesses can now extend a custom-branded technology service to their end users that reduces customer acquisition costs, improves customer loyalty and increases product and service marketing effectiveness.  The new business model has made PlumChoice a fast growing, 750-employee organization providing 24/7 repair and support to full range of products including computers, software and other digital devices.

"Entrepreneurship is especially vital as our nation recovers from recession," said Kristin Keating, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year program chair for New England.  "These finalists create jobs in our area, encouraging healthy growth, development and innovation in the local economy."

Now in its 24th year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards recognize owners and managers of both private and public companies who demonstrate exceptional financial performance, strategic direction, and product or service innovation within their companies.  They must also show personal integrity and values as well as a record of key employee initiatives and community involvement.

"When setting out to solve the problem of how to help my father resolve his computer issues by long distance, I never imagined the kind of success that would result.  On behalf of all the people at PlumChoice who have helped define an industry, I'm honored to be recognized as a finalist for the 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year," stated Werth.  "Our achievements in meeting the daily service needs of our partners and their millions of customers across the U.S. are what make this recognition so gratifying."

In addition to nimbly responding to market needs, Werth's leadership of PlumChoice has given rise to a progressive work-at-home model for service technicians.  The pioneering concept offers home-based jobs to hundreds of technical support personnel around the country, and provides both lifestyle and environmental benefits including a flexible work situation and reduction of commuting-related pollution.  The model has also returned many jobs to the U.S. from previously off-shored providers.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.  Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year national program.  Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 13, 2010.  The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.  In New England sponsors include Boston Magazine, J. Robert Scott, Marsh, Nixon Peabody LLP, Accounting Management Solutions, Bowne and Regan Communications Group.

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs.  The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.  As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity.  Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited located in the U.S.

About PlumChoice

PlumChoice is changing the way technology care is delivered.  The company pioneered the remote technical services business in 2001, providing 24x7 online repair and assistance for digital devices through U.S.-based, industry-certified agents.  More recently, PlumChoice has embarked on a reinvention of technology care through the addition of its patented SAFElink™ service delivery platform.  SAFElink helps service providers and other business partners to stay in constant touch with customers, creating new revenue streams and building customized, lifetime service programs.  PlumChoice's services can be offered under the partner's brand as a one-time fix, bundled, or subscriber-based solution.  Covered devices include personal computers and laptops, Macintosh™ computers, networks, software, printers, peripherals, MP3 players, digital cameras, smartphones, iPhones and other devices.  For more information, visit www.plumchoice.com/partner, call 1-866-811-3321 or email [email protected].

SOURCE PlumChoice